Medtronic Continues to Grow the Jacksonville Region as a Life Sciences Hub

With a legacy spanning more than 70 years, Medtronic has consistently paved the way in the healthcare technology industry by creating customized, cutting-edge medical devices focused on alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life. Globally renowned, they have reshaped the treatment of more than 70 complex healthcare conditions, delivering impactful solutions to people across the globe.

Not only does Medtronic boast a rich history in healthcare technology, but its footprint in the Jacksonville region is equally significant. Operating in Northeast Florida for more than 25 years, Medtronic’s Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) headquarters are situated on an expansive 22-acre Jacksonville campus, home to a workforce of more than 660 professionals focused on product innovation and manufacturing. Katie Carpenter, Senior Director of Strategy and Analytics for Medtronic’s ENT division, affirms, “Our Jacksonville campus houses the full spectrum of the medical device innovation cycle, including ideation, research and development, concept and product testing, manufacturing and distribution, commercialization, and training. We also have a state-of-the-art medical education lab that hosts more than 150 medical education labs annually, attracting surgeons from around the world for ongoing education and training.”

A contributor to Medtronic ENT’s enduring success lies in its ability to leverage the abundant talent pool within the Jacksonville region. “Jacksonville has played a pivotal role in our ability to attract both local talent and professionals from afar to join Medtronic,” added Carpenter. “The region’s appealing lifestyle amenities and competitive cost of living serve as strong draws for prospective employees, ensuring that we remain an employer of choice.” Additionally, Medtronic demonstrates its dedication to making a positive impact on the community by developing partnerships with local universities and health systems, further solidifying its reputation as an attractive choice for professionals aiming to make a difference in healthcare. Medtronic remains deeply committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive workforce – both globally and in Jacksonville. Medtronic has achieved 100% ethnically diverse pay equity and gender pay equity within the U.S. Additionally, its U.S. workforce is composed of 40% ethnically diverse employees, and 51% of its global employees are women.

Medtronic’s dedication to the Jacksonville community goes beyond its workforce initiatives, extending to meaningful endeavors that make a difference in people’s lives. Through partnerships with local organizations such as the Pace Center for Girls, Pine Castle, and the Sulzbacher Center, Medtronic actively serves the community. “We have a strong commitment to Jacksonville and strive to provide our employees with opportunities for giving back through volunteering.”

Looking forward, Medtronic reaffirms its long-term commitment to the Jacksonville region: “We are committed to the success of our ENT operations in Jacksonville and will continue to fuel growth in this market.” With Medtronic’s continued investment, Northeast Florida will continue to serve as a leading hub for life sciences in the state of Florida, driving innovation and economic prosperity in the region.

Business Growth is Booming in St. Johns County

As one of the first two Florida counties, St. Johns County is traditionally known for its rich history, tourism assets and high quality of life. Now, its reputation is booming as a global destination for business growth and expansion as well as having a deep and diversified talent base. With a population that’s growing at one of the fastest rates in the United States of more than 300,000, St. Johns County has become a preeminent destination for companies and workers across a wide variety of industries and skill sets.

Anchoring the private sector economy in St. Johns County is Northrup Grumman. One of the leading aerospace companies in the world and the largest private employer in the area, Northrop Grumman has held a presence since 1980 and serviced more than 1,600 aircraft at its St. Augustine facility.  Carlisle Interconnect Technologies, one of the world’s leaders in the engineering and production of wire and cable products for aviation, aerospace, military, space, industrial and medical companies, is also one of the largest employers in the St. Johns County and showcases strength in the space and defense technology sector.

Some of recent advanced manufacturing expansions in St. Johns County include Vermeer Southeast, a global industrial and agricultural equipment manufacturer that is bringing its regional headquarters to the region; Rulon, a leader in wood ceilings and acoustical wall systems; and KeHe, a national foods distributor that further diversifies the industrial landscape.

One of the main competitive advantages of St. Johns County is their focus on education.  The county has regularly been ranked a top primary school system in the state of Florida. At the secondary level, St. Augustine is home to Flagler College, which ranks third in the 2024 edition of Best Regional Colleges in the South. First Coast Technical College is designed to drive technological innovation and aligns with the county’s commitment to staying ahead in the technology services space. St. Johns River State College has multiple locations in the region and offers a wide array of academic tracks.

Most recently, Publix Super Markets announced that it will establish an innovative pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in St. Johns County, assisting with economic growth and approximately 400 new jobs. This facility is expected to be operational in 2026 and will build further synergies in the life sciences sector across the region.

St. Johns County is also home to the global headquarters and production facilities for the PGA TOUR.  With almost 900 employees in the county, the PGA TOUR supports tournament leadership, operations and programming that keep the tour and its talent traveling the world.

As St. Johns County looks to the future, it continues to support business growth and the talent that comes with it while maintaining a strong infrastructure, education system and an unmatched quality of life. The county’s preeminent position in the state and its global reach truly makes it a desired destination for all.

FlexCold Expands the Jacksonville Region’s Cold Storage Footprint

FlexCold has emerged as a leader in the cold storage warehousing and food logistics industry, distinguished by their innovative efforts in revolutionizing and modernizing operational procedures. They serve as a vital link in moving meat, packaged goods, poultry, frozen produce and seafood through the supply chain safely and efficiently for their customers, but ultimately work to connect food to people.

When looking for a location that could help them achieve just that, a unique opportunity arose to purchase land in the Jacksonville region, only three miles away from JAXPORT. “Our business is ultimately centered around people, food production and ports. We needed a location that could serve as the hub of our operations and grow as we grew. Jacksonville provided a perfect combination of what we needed,” said Jeff Manno, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder at FlexCold.

Jacksonville’s connectivity to the globe was only one of the many attracting factors for FlexCold to break ground in the region. “At FlexCold, we are determined to build a culture and environment that empowers people and provides an array of growth opportunities to our employees. The talent pool and labor-focused mindset of this region has been critical to our business because it has allowed us to build that culture and environment with talented employees.”

Given their mission and their critical impact on the world’s food infrastructure, FlexCold has partnered with Feeding Northeast Florida. “Food insecurity is a problem that FlexCold wants to play a part in solving. Our company is so much more than just putting pallets on ships – we are actively trying to minimize the steps to get food to people. Serving our community with our skills and experience is just one way we can give back.”

FlexCold announced their facility’s expansion less than a year after opening their doors in the summer of 2022. Phase Two of FlexCold’s Jacksonville warehouse has been slated for a 2024 opening and will add 170,000 square feet of space to the current facility and push their workforce to 100+ employees. Their continued expansion in Northeast Florida will further facilitate FlexCold’s growth and ability to fuel the world’s food supply chain.

Northrop Grumman Helps St. Johns County Fly Into The Future

Northrop Grumman has maintained a presence in Northeast Florida for more than 40 years and is the largest private employer in St. Johns County. As one of the leading aerospace companies in the world, Northrop Grumman has serviced over 1,600 aircraft at its St. Augustine facility.

The site was established in 1980 by the legacy Grumman Aerospace Corporation, which merged with Northrop Corporation in 1994. The St. Augustine location grew into one of Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics System two main global aircraft manufacturing facilities. St. Johns County continuously works with Northrop Grumman leadership to create a business and operations environment that suits their needs.

“We really have a great relationship with St. Johns County,” said Randy Bradley, vice president and site leader for the St. Augustine site. “From our partnership with the regional airport to working with the schools to develop our future workforce, our collaboration with the county and region is one of the main reasons we have been able to grow as successfully as we have.”

Northrop Grumman also benefits from the region’s strong military presence. “Our ties to the defense sector and the region’s history with the military create opportunities for former servicepeople to continue serving their country at Northrop Grumman,” added Bradley. “A lot of Navy personnel have made their way through Jacksonville over the years and they consistently want to be here after their service is complete.”

The St. Augustine site is also leading the way with the next generation of advanced manufacturing, using virtual reality tools to create highly immersive models that are helping train future mechanics and blending process improvements and aircraft quality, safety with digital transformation.

Northrop Grumman is also committed to its role as an impactful corporate citizen. From offering scholarships to high school and college students to partnerships with K-9s for Warriors, the Boys & Girls Club, Toys for Tots and First Coast Honor Flights, they are integrated into the community and give back to the region on several levels.

“We never lose sight of our need to give back to an area that have given us so much,” concluded Bradley. “We believe in helping the communities we are in all over the world and the Jacksonville area holds a special and strategic place for Northrop Grumman.”

CSX Helps Power The Jacksonville Region’s Logistics Strength

For over 200 years, CSX has been a critical part of the world’s supply chain. By focusing on the efficient movement of goods via rail and intermodal services, they have grown into a Fortune 500 company that connects major markets and industrial centers and serves some of the largest corporations in the world.

Jacksonville has been of strategic importance throughout CSX’s history as it evolved through the merging of several smaller railroads. The modern CSX was formed in 1980 through the merger of the Chessie System and Seaboard Coast Line Industries and the company’s name is derived from those initials. CSX moved its headquarters to downtown Jacksonville from Richmond, Virginia, in 2003 — today it serves as the nerve center for the company’s administrative and strategic functions, employing around 5,500 people in the Jacksonville region.

“Jacksonville has been important to CSX for talent attraction and development,” said Sean Pelkey, executive vice president and chief financial officer of CSX. “As our headquarters and the center of our functional operations, we hire at all experience and education levels, so the region’s proximity to great universities as well as a strong primary education system creates a natural draw that helps us excel.”

CSX is highly committed to serving both the Jacksonville community and its operations across the country. Their Pride In Service program focuses on supporting veterans and first responders and partners with some of the nation’s leading organizations such as Blue Star Families, Operation Homefront, The First Responders Children’s Foundation, Operation Gratitude and Wounded Warrior Project. Nearly 1 in 5 of the 22,000+ employees of CSX are either a veteran, a reservist or a first responder.

“The future for CSX is bright and we believe it is bright for Jacksonville as well,” added Pelkey. “The growth prospects for both are exciting because we are working in concert to create a global supply chain that increases efficiency, lowers risk and leverages technology – all areas where being in Northeast Florida adds value.”

Jacksonville Becoming Hub For Space and Defense Technology

The Jacksonville region has long been a leader in the aviation and aerospace industry and is now taking on a global leadership role in space and defense technology. The presence of some of the world’s leading providers and the emergence of new enterprises are drawing both interest and investment to Northeast Florida.

Several global companies anchor the strength of the region in space and defense.

  • Northrop Grumman has been in the St. Augustine area for over 40 years, and from this location, they work on some of the military’s most sophisticated aircraft.
  • Kaman Aerospace supplies metallic details, complex metallic aerostructures and metallic sub-assemblies for manned and unmanned helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and ground platforms.
  • Carlisle Interconnect Technologies is one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of high-performance wire and cable for a variety of industries with significant expertise in commercial aerospace, military and defense applications.
  • Boeing has been operating at Cecil Field since 1999 and is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, space and security systems, defense and global services.
  • Collins Aerospace provides intelligent solutions that sustain space exploration and mission success among other aviation and aerospace segments, and is a strategic business unit of RTX, the world’s largest aerospace company.
  • Grace Aerospace is a full-service build to print aerospace manufacturer and systems integrator with capabilities in product development, engineering, structural fabrication, CNC machining, electrical assembly and systems integration.

All of these organizations continue to grow in the area because of the region’s ability to provide skilled talent. Jacksonville’s significant military presence enhances its standing in the space and defense technology landscape — Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport play a crucial role in shaping the city’s role in the defense ecosystem and provide a high-quality of-life destination for the 3,000+ military personnel that retire from active service each year.

Northeast Florida has seen the benefits of growth in the space sector given its proximity to the Space Coast. Commercial real estate around Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center is limited, marking another reason why the Jacksonville region is a logical place to relocate or expand — this has been true for Redwire Space, a global space infrastructure and innovation company enabling civil, commercial and national security programs. Redwire’s corporate headquarters moved to Jacksonville in 2020 specifically for those reasons and is drawing similar companies to the region.

In addition to the corporate growth in the region, the area’s infrastructure is preparing for the next generation of space exploration and tourism.  Cecil Spaceport is the first commercial spaceport on the East Coast licensed to conduct horizontal launch operations and has been the center point for over $300 million in infrastructure improvements in the area.

Space and defense technology will continue to play a critical role in the global economy, and the Jacksonville region remains committed to supporting that growth.

Jacksonville Region Reaches All-Time High In Capital Investment

The Jacksonville region is ending 2023 in record fashion. Fueled by 18 projects announced and 2,500 jobs created, Northeast Florida has received $2.1 billion in capital investment during the year — this more than quadruples the private capital investments from 2022.

“The world continues to invest in the Jacksonville region,” said Aundra Wallace, president of JAXUSA Partnership. “These achievements underscore the region’s appeal as one of the most desirable business destinations globally.”

Jacksonville saw growth across a variety of industries in virtually every county of the region. Highlights from the year include:

These project wins are amplified by the announcement of the University of Florida’s new graduate campus in downtown Jacksonville — the campus will offer programs in medicine, business and engineering that will directly support the talent needs of companies in Northeast Florida.

“As much as we’re proud of what was accomplished in 2023, we’re even more excited about 2024 and beyond,” added Wallace. “The Jacksonville region has as much momentum as any place in the country in terms of business growth and investment. We continue to attract interest from all over the world because of our unique combination of infrastructure, business climate, talent and quality of life.  We have accomplished a lot, but we still have a long way to go to fully achieve our vision for the region.”

 

Mayo Clinic Thrives in Jacksonville as Florida’s #1 Hospital

In 1986, Mayo Clinic embarked on a courageous journey, extending beyond its Minnesota origins to establish a presence in Jacksonville, Florida. Starting with a modest team of 40 physicians and around 150 staff members, this strategic move has blossomed into an undeniable success story characterized by substantial growth, groundbreaking health care innovations and a profound impact on the local community.

From humble beginnings, Mayo Clinic in Florida has ascended to global recognition. Originally drawn to the region due to the enthusiastic support of its community leaders, Mayo Clinic states that the local talent pool of excellent health care workers and strong business community has supported its growth tremendously. The health care system now stands as a world-class transplant center and a pioneering force in innovative cancer care, attracting top-tier physicians and scientists from across the globe to make their home on the First Coast. With over 900 physicians, scientists, nearly 9,000 employees and ongoing capital projects exceeding $600 million, Mayo Clinic’s influence stretches beyond Florida — it touches patients throughout the United States and around the world.

Jacksonville’s exceptional quality of life plays a pivotal role in Mayo Clinic’s impressive staff recruitment success. The region offers an educated workforce, a concentration of life sciences companies, reputable colleges and universities and a supportive ecosystem that fosters growth. In addition to recruiting talent, Mayo Clinic also actively recruits companies to look at Jacksonville as a great location to expand or relocate, encouraging them to join forces in creating the health care of the future right here in Northeast Florida.

Innovation is at the heart of Mayo Clinic’s mission, propelling patient care through research and education. The Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange is a testament to this commitment, fostering collaboration among industry, medicine, and science and expediting research commercialization. Jacksonville has served as an incubator for Mayo Clinic’s medical innovation, offering opportunities for its scientists to lead programs for ex vivo organ restoration and develop new chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies to use a patient’s own blood cells to attack cancers. Soon, the region will be home to the first carbon ion therapy program in the western hemisphere, using the latest technology to treat the most complex cancers.

In addition to their own educational programs in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, the health care system collaborates closely with Northeast Florida’s colleges and universities, which are vital talent pipelines to ensure their patients have the caring professionals they need. Especially in allied life sciences fields such as nursing, they are able to build on each other’s strengths with the colleges and universities providing academic and didactic education and Mayo Clinic providing the hands-on clinical experience.

As a not-for-profit hospital deeply embedded in the community, Mayo Clinic collaborates with other institutions to review community health needs and collectively address priorities. Community outreach prioritizes Access to Care, Chronic Diseases and Mental Health, offering support to local organizations. Mayo Clinic’s investment in the Blue Zones Project further enhances community well-being, from health care systems and community organizations, this allows them to enhance efforts to achieve a common goal of improving the lives of the people in the Jacksonville community with the greatest barriers to health.

Mayo Clinic’s growth in Jacksonville continues to meet rising patient demand. Plans include expansion, with the addition of 200 acres to the campus, fostering an integrated life-sciences ecosystem that will bring together private investments, life-sciences companies, Mayo Clinic physicians and researchers and new educational collaborations that will help take Jacksonville to the next level as a city leading the transformation of health care.

Georgia-Pacific Builds On Rich History In The Jacksonville Region

Georgia-Pacific is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and distributors of tissue, pulp, paper, toilet and paper towels and paper packaging and has one of its most significant manufacturing operations in Northeast Florida. Their Palatka plant produces familiar consumer brands like Brawny®, Sparkle®, and private label paper towels; Angel Soft® and private label bath tissue; kraft paper used for recyclable mailers, grocery bags; butcher paper; and linerboard used to make corrugated boxes.

Shortly after opening in 1947, the facility quickly became the state’s largest producer of facial and bathroom tissue and has produced other products including gummed paper tape and kraft paper used to make grocery bags and sacks. That growth and success has been fueled by more than $1.2 billion of capital investment in the area from Georgia-Pacific since 2002.

“There are a variety of attributes that allow us to thrive in Northeast Florida,” said Chris Gent, head of strategic communications & public affairs at Georgia-Pacific. “Chief among them are its strategic location globally, business-friendly environment, overall quality of life and a rich talent pool.”

That talent pool is representative of reputable area educational institutions, including universities and colleges. With several top-tier universities within three hours of their facility, Georgia-Pacific often collaborates with local businesses to develop programs that align with their needs, ensuring a pipeline of qualified graduates.

The Jacksonville region offers several initiatives and resources to help companies fill their talent needs,” added Gent. “Beyond our work with the schools, the region has workforce development programs and partnerships that focus on training and upskilling the local workforce. These programs provide opportunities for individuals to acquire the necessary skills and qualifications we need to keep moving forward.

Given its long-standing history in the region, Georgia-Pacific is heavily invested in local education foundations and civic organizations to partnerships with local charitable organizations and nonprofits. They support the African-American Cultural Arts Council, ARC of Putnam County, Bread of Life, Habitat for Humanity, Keep Putnam Beautiful, Lee Conlee House, Rodeheaver Boys’ Ranch, United Way and many others.

“We contribute to causes that help address social and economic challenges within the community,” added Gent. “In addition, Georgia-Pacific has developed and funded an advanced manufacturing academy in three Putnam County high schools. It also helped create an advanced manufacturing degree track at St. Johns River State College, with an interactive laboratory, at its Orange Park campus. By supporting local nonprofits, organizations, and initiatives, we believe we can have a direct and positive impact on the lives of individuals and families in the community.”

Northeast Florida provides numerous economic benefits for companies and executives considering expanding or relocating their business. The region’s strategic location offers easy access to transportation networks, facilitating efficient distribution. With a diverse and growing economy, businesses can tap into various industries and collaborate with a skilled workforce. Additionally, the cost of doing business in Northeast Florida is competitive, with favorable tax climates and affordable real estate options. Beyond economic advantages, the region offers a high quality of life, including a mild climate, beautiful beaches and a vibrant arts and culture scene. These factors make the Jacksonville region an appealing destination for companies and executives seeking to maximize their potential for success.

Rayonier’s Success Is Intertwined With Northeast Florida

Rayonier relocated their headquarters to Northeast Florida in 1999, but their roots in the region date back to the 1930s. During that time, they have continued to acquire and manage timberland, adapt and grow as their business model has evolved and embark on one of the largest community development projects in the United States.

“Relocating to the Jacksonville region provided us a lot of advantages and the quality of life is unmatched, but the more time we spent in the area we realized how much opportunity there was in Northeast Florida,” said Mike Bell, vice president of public affairs and communications at Rayonier.

In 2014, Rayonier divided its land resources business from its performance fibers business, creating two independent publicly traded companies “As Rayonier has evolved, we have always continued to look for ways to maximize the value of our land holdings,” added Bell. “Our commitment to sustainable forestry efforts has remained constant, but through that exploration, the idea for Wildlight was born.”

Wildlight is a 2,900-acre mixed-use, master-planned development in Nassau County near Yulee that aims to create a sustainable and vibrant community with a mix of housing options along with commercial and retail spaces. As Wildlight develops, it will also contain the largest land conservation easement in the history of Northeast Florida, a 12,000+ acre Conservation Habitat Network. Wildlight is now the home of Rayonier’s corporate headquarters.

“Fulfilling the full vision of Wildlight will take 75 to 100 years – that means 3-4 generations will take part in its development,” said Wes Hinton, vice president of Wildlight. “Nassau County is a great place to live and it’s only going to get better as we create a community that both attracts people to Northeast Florida and lets locals stay local by having close access to key services and retail. Creating this kind of community is an amazing opportunity for Rayonier and the region.”

As Rayonier looks toward the future, they are committed to being a great partner to the community, their customers and 400+ employees, and continuing to provide nature-based solutions across its footprint.